Stila Rave!

I went to the Trafford Center the other day and of course had to nosey around Boot's makeup aisles. All was normal, until I spotted the Stila stand. I hadn't seen their products in the UK before, so I decided to check their stuff out. Here were the fist things I picked up:-

From top to bottom:- Electric, Bora Bora, Curacao and Flash.

 Oh my gosh, as soon as I opened the package my heart started thumping. They are seriously glittery and highly pigmented eyeliners. Named Sparkle Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner's and priced at £14, they come in an array of colours and last forever (the ones that I swatched on my hand took forever to scrub off). The only downside there is is that the applicator is a felt tip one, which wouldn't have been my choice for this product (they always seems to be a bit messy) but I could live with it. I have serious lust for these eyeliners, and they have gone straight to the top of my wish list.

Next up, I tested the Convertible Colour Duo Lip & Cheek Cream.

From top to bottom:- Poppy, Iillium, Peony

 These were lovely and creamy, with a nice level of pigmentation. Poppy was bright red in the pot, but did blend out nicely on my skin. They also felt light on, and totally unsticky (if that's a word!). They are £16, and come in a really cute pot with a handy mirror.

Finally, I decided to try the Crush Lip and Cheek Stain:-

Top to bottom:- Acai, Pomegranate, Raspberry.

The first one I picked up was Acai, and it was so bright I was quite shocked. They come with an integrated brush like some lipglosses, and I actually quite liked that. They were also more of a gel formula, which I really liked because I always find stains like Benetint a bit runny. Described on the website as "A multi-tasking lip and cheek stain that reacts to pH levels to create a perfectly personalized hue", these are definately something to look out for.

Overall, I am really loving Stila's products, and can't wait to get my hands on some when my financial situation looks a bit less dire.

REVIEW - Suddenly Madame Glamour

So recently I've been looking to purchase a new laptop because my current one is on its way out (the screen is literally falling off). Me and my mother decided to go to Costco to check out their laptops, and then head off to PC World to compare. Anyway, from leaving Costco to arriving at PC World, we stopped off a Lidl. I know it is classed as a bad shop, however, hear me out because what I have to announce will make you squeal with glee. As we walked into the store, we spied this lady grabbing handfuls of boxes of perfume and dumping them into her trolley. She was well dressed, and was not the type you would stereotypically think shops in Lidl (because let's face; there is a stereotype you think of). Our interest piqued, we walked over to check it out, and ended up chatting to the woman. She said that her friend had showed her this perfume and had been raving about it to her. One sniff of the stuff and I know why. It smells exactly like Chanel Coco Mademoiselle, i.e. delicious. Oooh, but I was practically drooling over it.

Generally I have a problem with perfume, because it never seems to stay on my skin. However I sprayed some on my wrists this afternoon at half twelve, and I can still smell it on me now, so it lasts.  And did I mention it smells divine? When you first squirt it on it is fairly strong, but it mellows out into the most beautiful, sensual, musky scent. Mmm. Now, I can hear you thinking, how much did it cost? A meagre £3.99 for 50ml. Compare it to Chanels purse busting £61.00, I felt like shovelling handfuls of the perfume in my trolley too.

In conclusion, find your nearest Lidl, and buy buy BUY!!!

OOTD

This is what I wore to go for drinks with my friends.

Dress:- New Look

Jacket:- Primark

Leggins:- Primark

Shoes:- New Look

REVIEW - Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliners in Bourbon and Stray Dog

Bourbon, first of all, is a lovely warm medium brown shade with a golden shimmer. Its consistency disappointed me slightly, as it took a second going over to get a deep, even colour. It also disappointed me because it was easily duped. I have two other brown eyeliners with a golden shimmer in my collection,one from Avon and one from Maybelline. The Avon one is its Super Shock Gel Eyeliner in Bronze, and in my opinion, it is superior to Urban Decay's. It has a richer colour and a smoother texture that allows it to glide on in just one stroke. It is also long lasting, about the same as its Urban Decay counter part. My Maybelline one is the Kohl Express waterproof eyeliner pencil in Brown Gleam. This one is a slightly softer colour, leaning slightly more towards the gold end, but that is due to it being more of your traditional kohl pencil, though I think it is between being a gel eyeliner and a kohl one. Its longevity is deminished due to its consistency, however I still think it is a nice colour. Out of all three, the one I would repurchase is Avon's Super Shock Gel Eyeliner.

Avon, Urban Decay, Maybelline

Stray Dog  is a grey brown with hints of lilac and silver shimmer. It looks pewter on your eyelid, but when you swatch it on your hand and really look at the colour, its fascinating. Kind of reminds me of wolves. It is again long lasting like all 24/7 eyeliners, though not exceptionally so. I do think I would repurchase this colour, mainly because it seems quite unique in colour.

July Favourites

So these are the products I have been constantly using this month...

 

1. L'Oreal Elvive Full Restore 5 replenishing hair mask - My hair has been feeling really dry and dull, so I started using this (if its good enough for Cheryl, its good enough for me!) and hey presto! My hair is back to its shiny, soft self. Brilliant. 

2. Max Factor Masterpiece Max Mascara - My favourite mascara ever!  It lengthens, volumises, and separates my lashes, making them look almost like I'm wearing falsies without any clumping or flaking. Love it.

3.Clinique Moisture Surge - Oh, how I love this moisturiser. I have really dry skin (which is unfortunately a hereditary problem in our family) and this just makes it feel like silk... Amazing. Full review here.

4. Dove Visible Effects Moisturiser - I use this in tandem with my baby oil because my skin's been feeling really dry recently. I love the smell of this lotion, and the fact that it doesn't feel greasy. It also doesn't sit on top of your skin, it just sinks in which is great for me because I hate that feeling. 

5. Avon Advanced Technique Lotus Shield - This stuff is brilliant. I took it on holiday with me to stop my hair going 'poof' into an afro, and it worked wonders - my hair stayed smooth and soft. I would really recommend this product as a frizz fighter, especially as it survives three washes. 

6. Johnson's Baby Oil - Used to help combat my dry skin. I apply it straight after I get out of the shower, when my skin is soaking wet.

7. Max Factor Max Effect Gloss Cube in Sweet Cassis - A really lovely raspberry colour that makes your lips look naturally pink and bee-stung. Feels really light on, with no stickiness whatsoever.

8. Max Factor Lipstick in Bewitching Coral - A suits all shade that was in high demand whilst I was on holiday! It lasts forever on the lips and doesn't feel drying at all. Can be used straight out of the bullet for a bright pop of colour or you can apply it with your fingertips for a more subtle stain.

9. Benefit Get Even! Powder in 01 - I've loved this powder for a long time because its staying power is fantastic and it stops me going bright red (an unfortunate occurrence that is inherited from my red-headed father).

10. Blistex Relief Cream - The ultimate saviour for sore, chapped lips. Helped make my lips soft whilst I was suffering with a bad cold that I caught on the plane on the way home from Crete.

REVIEW - Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliners in Midnight Cowboy and Corrupt

Midnight Cowboy is what I'd describe as a pale straw colour with a hint of peach. It has gold and a pale pink shimmer. I think it is brilliant as an eyeliner that brightens the eye area - when I applied it to my own eyelids, I was surprised at the lightening and brightening effect it had, which is great if you've had a late night and want to look wide awake. It is very long lasting - in fact, it did not want to come off!

Corrupt on the other hand is a dark brown with silver, gold and burgandy shimmer. It has good pigmentation, dark and rich, and is a lovely alternative to black if you want something softer and more understated. Again, it is long lasting and was a bit of a battle getting it off, though not as much as Midnight Cowboy.

REVIEW - Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliners in Binge and Mildew

This is the first of a set of reviews on the eyeliners contained in my 15 year anniversary set.

First of all, Binge is a nice (thought quite standard) navy blue with a slight shimmer to it. It goes on a dream, earning its title 'Glide On Eye Pencil'. The colour wasn't as bright at the end of the day as it was when I first put it on, but I was still happy with its longevity. On the whole, I wouldn't say this is a must buy, because its pigmentation seemed a little sheer to me, maybe because the actual colour couldn't seem to figure out itself (it straddled the line between navy and royal).

Next up is Mildew. This is a gorgeous sage green with a slight pale green shimmer in it. It reminded me of forests and pixies or something, because even though its a lovely earthy colour, it seems quite magical. Again it absolutely glided on, and stayed put all day without any transfer to the upper lid. I really loved this colour, its pigmentation was great and it had just the right amount of shimmer. I would recommend you buy this shade, especially if you have green or hazel eyes, because it mades them look greener.

Urban Decay 15 Year Anniversary 24/7 Eyeliner Set

Click on pictures to enlarge...

 So my eyeliners have finally arrived from Debenhams, and I couldn't be more pleased with them! Before anything else, I have to say I love the packaging. They come in a box with a clear window on the front that lifts up. The box itself feels really sturdy, and is embossed with the Urban Decay 15 year anniversary symbol in a really nice pattern. Presentation then gets a big thumbs up from me!

Set in a box on a velvety black background, these pencils pop. There is a delicious selection of colours that would suit any mood/ occasion conceivable.

"Help Urban Decay celebrate their 15-year anniversary with this mouth-watering set of 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils. The wide range of award winning, high-quality, waterproof shades are some of Urban Decay's best-selling and most coveted products. We included six brand new shades, and stamped all 15 with special anniversary artwork. This is a truly collectable set.

The range of shades includes lush tropical hues, deep metallics, and unusually vibrant neutrals. Favorites like Zero, Bourbon and Electric sit side-by-side with SIX brand-new shades like Asphyxia, Stray Dog and the piece de resistance: Perversion a blacker-than-Zero black. Each pencil is stamped with UD15. The whole collection (and a sharpener!) comes packaged in a silver foil box printed with our UD15 ticking pattern."

 This set is also excellent value, especially as every pencil is a full sized one, and not travel sized like in some previous sets. The only thing that irks me about this set is that my Perversion is slightly smaller than any other eyeliner in the set - is it just my set or does this occur in yours if you have one? 

Other than that, I am sincerely chuffed with my purchase. I will be swatching and reviewing each eyeliner by itself in posts to come, so keep an eye out! 

xxx

Essential Items To Take Abroad

As I've just come back off holiday, I thought I'd do a post on the essential items you should pack in your suitcase, based off my experience. So here goes!

HAUL

So, I went on a bit of an online shopping spree before, and I'm feeling a bit guilty but very excited! I bought this lovely cream stitch pocket jumper from River Island - I saw it in the shop but walked away from it for some unknown reason. Its big, soft and cosy and will look fab off the shoulder with a belt.

I've also just bought Urban Decay's 24/7 eyeliner set to celebrate it's 15 year anniversary. My favourite eyeliner of all time is Stash, and as this is included in the set and I need to replace mine soon, I thought "Why not?". I'll post pictures and swatches as soon as I get it! :)

xx

MAKEUP TUTORIAL - Club Tropicana

This is a look I did whilst on holiday, the night we decided to dress up in our hula gear. I wanted something that was fun and colourful, yet cute and girly. This is the look I came up with!
What I used:-

• UD primer potion
• UD eyeshadow in Honey (yellowy gold)
• UD eyeshadow in Peace (bright blue)
• UD eyeshadow in Graffiti (grass green)
• UD eyeshadow in Ransom (purple)
• UD eyeshadow in Fishnet (fuchsia)
• Max Factor Masterpiece Max mascara
• Benefit Moonbeam
• Benefit Get Even in 01
• Clarins bronzing powder in 20 Golden Sun
• Max Factor lipstick in Bewitching Coral

EYES:- First off, as always, prime your eyelids. Then take Honey and apply into the inner corners of your eyes. Clean your brush and apply Peace to the next third of your eye lid. Then take Graffiti and apply it to the outer corner of your eye. Add Ransom just above it, in the crease of your eye and then blend everything together. If certain colours have lost some of their vibrancy, go over them a second time but remember to blend the edges. Next, take Fishnet and place it under the lower lash line, bringing it half way along the lower lash line. Finish with mascara.

FACE:- Add highlighter on the tops of your cheeck bones and powder to take away some shine.Take some bronzer and add to the places the sun hits naturally - cheeks, forehead, nose, chin.

LIPS:-  You only need a light flush of colour with this look, or it will be too much. Run your finger over the top of the bullet and rub onto lips to get a subtle flush of colour.

Ooh Ahh Malia!

Yasou!

Me and my girls dressed up in our Hula gear!

So, after a whirlwind two weeks of partying in Malia, I am back! I had a fab time, and would definately recommend it as a party destination (check out Safari club, Union bar and Pop World!). I am glad to be home though.

In preparation for my holiday, I had my nails done. I'm a serial nail biter, so I thought I'd treat myself and get gel nails. It was nice having them put on - quite theraputic - but my nails are going to pay for it if I have them taken off because they file the whole nail so it becomes really thin. The weirdest part was setting the gel under the UV light because it kinda gets hot, but if you press your fingers down then its fine again. It's not painful but is a really strange sensation!

When they were done, I was amazed because they looked so natural - like they were my own nails with a clear varnish on top! 

Safe to say, I was mega impressed with them. However, they needed something extra for my holiday, so I decided to paint them in a way I've been absolutely dying to do but couldn't because I have short bitten nails...

I gave myself a sparkly French manicure! I used Revlon's new scented nail varnish in 345 Peach Smoothie as a base, then added Accessorize's nail polish in Molton Copper to the tips in layers, to create a graduating effect.

I'm happy with the way they turned out, and the fact that they lasted the whole of the first week! I did end up taking it off and painting them a delicious orange colour, but by then I had got a bit bored of them hehe!

xxx